Do It Yourself Forms: Divorce Papers for Maryland

May 5, 2023 Amanda

Do It Yourself Forms: Divorce Papers for Maryland

Form Name	Usage	Price
Complaint for Absolute Divorce	To initiate a divorce proceeding	$165
Answer to Complaint	To respond to a divorce complaint	$0
Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit	To provide financial information to the court	$0
Joint Statement of Marital Property	To divide marital property	$0
Joint Request for Divorce	To request a divorce together	$165
Request for Order of Default	To obtain a default judgment	$0
Notice of Intention to Request Entry of Judgment	To notify the court of your intention to obtain a judgment	$0

Introduction

The State of Maryland offers various types of divorce forms depending on your specific circumstances such as whether you have children or not. These forms include:

Civil Domestic Case Information Report
Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Joint Statement of Marital Property
Vital Statistics Form
Motion to Serve by Publication or Posting (if you cannot locate your spouse)

Filing for divorce using do-it-yourself forms can save time and money compared to hiring an attorney. However, it is important to note that these forms may not be suitable for everyone. If you have complex issues such as child custody or property division disputes, it may be best to seek legal advice from an experienced family law attorney.

Understanding Divorce in Maryland

It’s also worth noting that there are two types of divorce in Maryland:

Absolute Divorce: This type of divorce ends the marriage completely and allows both parties to remarry if they choose. To obtain an absolute divorce, you must meet certain criteria such as living apart from your spouse for at least 12 months (or six months if you have a signed separation agreement), or proving fault-based grounds such as adultery, cruelty or desertion.
Limited Divorce: This type of divorce is also known as legal separation. It does not end the marriage but allows couples to live separately while resolving issues related to child custody, support and property division. Limited divorces are less common than absolute divorces but can be useful in situations where one party needs financial support from the other but wants to remain married for religious or other personal reasons.

Requirements for Divorce in Maryland

In addition to these requirements, there are other factors to consider when filing for divorce:

Grounds: You must have valid grounds for seeking a divorce. This may include mutual consent (if both parties agree to the divorce), separation (living apart for at least 12 months), or fault-based grounds such as adultery, cruelty or desertion.
Property Division: Maryland is an “equitable distribution” state, which means that marital property will be divided fairly but not necessarily equally between spouses. Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage.
Child Custody and Support: If you have minor children, issues related to custody and support will need to be addressed. Maryland uses a variety of factors such as each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs and the child’s preference (if they are old enough) to determine custody arrangements.

Grounds for Divorce in Maryland

There are several grounds for divorce in Maryland, including:

Mutual Consent: If both parties agree to the divorce and meet certain requirements such as having no minor children and a signed separation agreement, they can file for a no-fault divorce based on mutual consent.
Separation: If you have been living apart from your spouse for at least 12 months (or six months with a signed separation agreement), you may be able to obtain a divorce based on this ground. You must demonstrate that you have lived separate lives during this time period.
Fault-based Grounds: If one party is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, they may be able to seek a fault-based divorce. Common grounds include adultery, cruelty or violence against the other spouse, desertion or abandonment, and conviction of certain crimes such as domestic violence.

Types of Divorce in Maryland

In addition to these types of divorce, there are other options available in Maryland:

No-Fault Divorce: In a no-fault divorce, neither party has to prove that their spouse did something wrong. Instead, they must show that they have been living separately for at least 12 months (or six months with a signed separation agreement) and that there is no hope of reconciliation.
Mutual Consent Divorce: This type of divorce requires both parties to agree on all issues related to property division and any children involved. Mutual consent divorces can be completed quickly compared to other types of divorces because there is no need for court hearings or trials.

Preparing Your DIY Divorce Papers

Once you have determined that you meet the requirements for filing a divorce in Maryland, you can begin preparing your DIY divorce papers. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Gather all necessary information: You will need personal information about yourself and your spouse such as full names, addresses, birthdates and social security numbers. You will also need to provide information about any children you have together.
Fill out the forms completely: Make sure to fill out all required fields on each form accurately and completely. Incomplete or incorrect forms can cause delays or even lead to rejection of your petition.
Follow instructions carefully: Each form will come with specific instructions on how to fill it out and what supporting documentation is needed. Make sure to read these instructions carefully and follow them closely.

Gathering Information and Documents

In addition to these basic documents, you may also want to consider gathering:

Copies of tax returns for at least the past three years
A list of joint bills or expenses
A list of any gifts or inheritances received during the marriage

Gathering this information ahead of time can save you time later on when completing forms or negotiating with your spouse. It can also help ensure that nothing important gets overlooked during the divorce process.

Filling out the Forms

In general, most Maryland divorce forms will require similar types of information such as:

Your name and contact information
Your spouse’s name and contact information
Date of marriage
Date of separation (if applicable)
The grounds for divorce (mutual consent, separation, fault-based)

You may also need to provide additional documentation such as financial statements, property inventories or child custody agreements depending on your situation. Be sure to check each form’s instructions for any additional requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s important to remember that divorce can be a stressful and emotional process. Taking steps to educate yourself about Maryland’s divorce laws, requirements and procedures can help alleviate some of this stress. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can successfully navigate the do-it-yourself divorce process in Maryland.

Filing Your DIY Divorce Papers

It is important to note that while filing for divorce using DIY forms can save money compared to hiring an attorney, there are still costs involved such as filing fees and possibly process server fees. Additionally, if issues arise during the divorce process such as disagreements over property division or child custody arrangements, it may become necessary to consult with an attorney after all.

Filing with the Court

It’s important to remember that every divorce case is unique. While do-it-yourself forms can be a useful tool for some couples seeking divorce in Maryland, it’s always best to seek legal advice from an experienced family law attorney if there are complicated issues involved such as property disputes or child custody disagreements.

Serving Your Spouse

You should keep detailed records of all attempts at service and any responses received from your spouse. Failure to properly serve your spouse can delay or even derail the divorce process, so it’s important to follow all necessary procedures carefully.

Responding to Your Spouse’s Answer

After you have filed your divorce papers, your spouse will be served with a copy of the documents and given an opportunity to respond. If your spouse contests the divorce or disagrees with any part of the settlement, they may file an answer to your complaint.

If you receive a response from your spouse, there are several steps you can take:

Review the Answer: Carefully read through your spouse’s response and make note of any areas where they disagree with your proposal.
Negotiate: Try to work out a compromise that both parties can agree on. This may involve hiring a mediator or working with attorneys to come up with a settlement agreement.
Attend Court Hearings: If negotiations fail, you will need to attend court hearings where a judge will make decisions related to child custody, support and property division.

Navigating the Divorce Process

If both parties agree to the terms of the divorce, they may be able to file an uncontested divorce which is typically quicker and less expensive than going through litigation. However, if there are disagreements related to property division, child custody/support issues or other matters then a contested divorce may need to go before a judge for resolution. In either case, it is recommended that each party seek legal advice from an experienced family law attorney who understands Maryland’s laws regarding property division and child custody/support matters.

Attending Court Hearings

If you cannot come to an agreement during a settlement conference or mediation session, then your case will proceed to trial. During this time, each party can present evidence, call witnesses (if applicable), and argue their position in front of a judge. Ultimately, the judge will issue a final decision regarding all outstanding issues related to your divorce case.

Negotiating a Settlement Agreement

The following are some tips for negotiating a successful settlement agreement:

Hire an attorney: Even if you plan on using do-it-yourself forms for your divorce, it may be helpful to consult with an experienced family law attorney who can advise you on the best course of action.
Be willing to compromise: It’s unlikely that both parties will get everything they want in a divorce. Be open to negotiation and willing to make concessions in order to reach an agreement.
Consider mediation: Mediation can be a useful tool for resolving disputes during divorce proceedings. A neutral third-party mediator can help facilitate negotiations and find common ground between parties.

Once you have reached an agreement, it’s important to review the terms carefully before signing. Make sure all aspects of the agreement are clearly spelled out and seek legal advice if necessary. Once signed by both parties, the settlement agreement becomes legally binding and enforceable in court.

Finalizing Your Divorce

It’s important to note that each case is unique and some divorces may take longer than others depending on factors such as contested issues or delays in filing paperwork. However, understanding the requirements for filing for divorce in Maryland can help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

Filing for divorce can be a complex and emotionally challenging process, but understanding the requirements and resources available to you can make it easier. If you are considering filing for divorce in Maryland using do-it-yourself forms, take some time to educate yourself on the process and gather all necessary documentation before proceeding.

Additional resources that may be helpful include:

The Maryland Courts website, which offers comprehensive information about filing for divorce including FAQs and step-by-step guides
Local legal aid organizations, which may offer low-cost or free legal assistance to individuals who qualify based on income
A family law attorney who specializes in divorce cases, if your situation is particularly complex or contested

Remember that filing for divorce requires careful consideration of many factors such as property division and child custody. Take your time when making this decision, seek support from friends and loved ones if needed, and don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals who can help guide you through the process.

FAQ on ‘Do It Yourself Forms: Divorce Papers for Maryland’

Q: Are DIY divorce papers available online?

A: Yes, you can find DIY divorce papers for Maryland online. There are several websites that offer these forms for free or at a low cost.

Q: Is it easy to fill out DIY divorce papers?

A: The ease of filling out DIY divorce papers depends on your level of comfort with legal documents. While these forms are designed to be straightforward and simple, they do require careful attention to detail and accuracy.

Q: Can I use the same forms as my spouse?

A: No, each party in a divorce must complete their own set of forms. This is because each person’s situation is unique and requires specific information to be included in the paperwork.

Q: Do I still need to go to court if I use DIY divorce papers?

A: Yes, even if you use DIY divorce papers, you will still need to appear in court for the final hearing. However, using these forms can save you time and money on attorney fees.